At a surprise pep rally at Dillard Drive Middle School in Raleigh earlier this morning, Google and DonorsChoose.org announced that they would fund a project request made by special needs teacher Joann Blumenfeld on the DonorsChoose.org platform in full.

The project, “Differently Thinking People Make A Better World,” asked for nearly $2,500 to acquire 14 tablets and science curriculum that Ms. Blumenfeld could use in her special needs science classroom.

Google announced their intention to fund the project, as well as their intention to fulfill more than $90,000 in funding requests from other teachers across the state of North Carolina, on stage at the school in Raleigh.

Ms. Blumenfeld is a teacher who specializes in science to middle school-aged students with multiple disabilities at the Dillard Drive Middle School in Raleigh, NC. She is certified in Special Education K-12, Science Middle School, Science High School and Language Arts Middle School. She also has co-taught in the regular education setting in Math Grade 6 and 8 and also Language Arts Grade 6. Mrs. Blumenfeld began her career as a Teacher’s Assistant and entered the profession through the Teach Up program. She has most currently been recognized as a Kenan Fellow.

The project description for Ms. Blumenfeld’s DonorsChoose Project, in full:

My Students

“Differently Thinking People Can Change the World.” My students are out of the box thinkers who are leaders and learners of STEM. From Einstein to Hawkins, many of the world’s most famous scientists have disabilities like my students but also have great abilities. They have great futures in STEM! All of my students have disabilities ranging from autism to dyslexia but great abilities. Our school is in area of many STEM career opportunities, but my students need more support to reach them. They are leaders and learners of science, and when taught with multiple learning strategies and innovative educational practices, there are no limits to their success. They have taught yearly over 5,000 people science at museum exhibits they made. They teach over 200 elementary students at a yearly science fair they organize. My students have not always been given opportunities to shine but in my classroom, they been able to get supports need from; confidence, content, and skills set to now consider STEM educational pathways and careers. These students are the ones who people do not always see their great abilities but truly have gifts to give and bright futures in STEM.

My Project

The electricity, chemistry, energy, and physics kits requested are to help students learn required Common Core Science and be prepared for high school science classes. These kits include labs that will also enhance the students’ science skills. We have very limited computer access. These tablets will be used for downloading web information, learning technology skills, using free apps, download free library E Books, collect data when doing field research, and to take pictures during citizen science projects. The Science Magazine and reading books will be used to improve literacy skills, keep updated on science news, and see real world STEM examples and careers. The clean air, solar, lung volume, Ferro fluids, passive solar design and sun art kits will be utilized both for student learning and teaching visitors at our next museum exhibit at NC Museum of Natural Science and also with a global project we are doing with students at a school in Liberia on energy and also health issues.

In addition, most of my students are low income and by learning more STEM skills, it will help them on the pathway to graduate high school and to a STEM career and a brighter future. Students will gain confidence in themselves by not only learning but by teaching others. Students with disabilities with a great education can be success make a better world for all!